Apo-Methoprazine

Brand Name: Apo-Methoprazine

Common Name: methotrimeprazine

How does this medication work? What will it do for me?

Methotrimeprazine belongs to the class of medications called phenothiazines. It is used to treat mental and emotional disorders, including schizophrenia, manic-depressive syndromes and other psychotic disorders. It can also be used in conditions associated with anxiety and tension, as a pain reliever (for certain types of pain), as a sedative, and for nausea and vomiting caused by certain conditions.

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

How should I use this medication?

The dose of this medication varies widely depending on the condition being treated and the circumstances and age of the person being treated.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Are there any other precautions or warnings for this medication?

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Abnormal heart rhythms: This medication can cause abnormal heart rhythms. Certain medications (e.g., sotalol, quinidine, thioridazine, chlorpromazine, droperidol, pimozide, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, mefloquine, pentamidine, arsenic trioxide, dolasetron mesylate, probucol, tacrolimus) can increase the risk of a type of abnormal heart rhythm called QT prolongation, and should not be used in combination with methotrimeprazine. You are more at risk for this type of abnormal heart rhythm and its complications if you:

are female

are older than 65 years of age

have a family history of sudden cardiac death

have a history of heart disease or abnormal heart rhythms

have a slow heart rate

have congenital prolongation of the QT interval

have diabetes

have had a stroke

have low potassium, magnesium, or calcium levels

have nutritional deficiencies

If you have heart disease and abnormal heart rhythms, or people are taking certain medications (e.g., verapamil, atazanavir), discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Body temperature: Methotrimeprazine, like other antipsychotic medications, may interfere with your body's ability to regulate body temperature. People who exercise vigorously, who are exposed to extreme heat, are dehydrated, or are taking anticholinergic medications (e.g., benztropine, oxybutynin) are more at risk. Contact your doctor as soon as possible if you feel very hot and are unable to cool.

Take care to avoid overheating during strenuous exercise or in hot temperatures, and avoid becoming dehydrated by drinking enough fluids.

Diabetes: Methotrimeprazine may increase blood sugar for people with diabetes or those who are at risk for diabetes. If you have diabetes, monitor your blood sugar frequently as recommended by your doctor. If you experience symptoms of high blood sugar (e.g., increased urination, increased thirst, increased eating, and weakness) while taking this medication, contact your doctor.

Dizziness/lightheadedness: In high doses, dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up from a sitting or lying position may be experienced at the start of treatment. To reduce the possibility of experiencing this, rise slowly from a sitting or lying position.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Methotrimeprazine can cause drowsiness and reduced alertness, especially during the first few days of treatment. Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other tasks that require mental alertness until you have determined how this medication affects you.

Medical conditions: If you have arteriosclerosis, heart problems, glaucoma, or prostate problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Tardive dyskinesia: People taking this medication may develop tardive dyskinesia, a syndrome of uncontrolled body movements. This syndrome may be irreversible. If you develop uncontrolled or unusual body movements, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. Infants born to mothers who used methotrimeprazine in the later part of pregnancy have had abnormal muscle movement and withdrawal symptoms, including decreased muscle tone, sleepiness, difficulty feeding and severe difficulty breathing after birth. These symptoms can be severe and need medical attention. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if methotrimeprazine passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking this medication, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Seniors: Seniors with dementia who take this medication may be at an increased risk of death due either heart disease or infections compared to seniors who are not taking this medication. The use of methotrimeprazine by older adults is not recommended.

What other drugs could interact with this medication?

There may be an interaction between methotrimeprazine and any of the following:

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

stop taking one of the medications,

change one of the medications to another,

change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or

leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

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